Canada



l. A. McCARTHY: ROTARY ENGINE'.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2. 1915.

Pafented Aug. 8, 1916.

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|. A. MCCARTHY.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 27. 1915.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

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WITNESS I. A. MCCARTHY.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION F|LED,MAR.27.1915.

. 1,193,808. PatenfedAug. 8,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I. A. MCCARTHY.

ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2'7. 1915.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

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-the'otheig which indraws ROTARY ENGINE.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Ang. 8, 1916.

Application led March 27, 1915. Serial N o. 17,353.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, IVAN A. MCCARTHY, a citizen of the Dominion' of Canada, residing at Vancouver, in the Province of British Columbia, Canada, new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to an internalcombustion rotary engine.

It belongs to that class wherein a driving head having vanes or bars projecting radially from it and parallel to its axis is secured on a driving shaft and isrotatable within a substantially concentric lixed cylinder, the bore of which is swept by the vanes of the driving head.

The concentric space between the driving head and its containing cylinder is divided into two compartments by valvey members 'which are rotatable to permit passage of the vanes of the driving head.

The concentric space between the driving head and its containing cylinder is di vided into two compartments by valve members which are rotatable to permit passage of the vanes of the driving head.

The invention comprises the arrangement of the described parts with the required ports and passages by which the explosive mixture may be delivered into one end of the hol-low driving head, may pass therefrom into one compartment of the annular space, being drawn therein by the movement ofone of the vanes through it. In this compartment the charge is compressed against the valve partition of the compartment by the next vane following and after compression passes into the next compartment of the annular space where itisignited, the force of the explosion acting to rotate the driving head on the opposite side of the same vane which compresses the charge. The compartment in which` the explosion has occurred is then opened to the exhaust and movement of the next vane following sweeps the residue of the explosion from the compartment. As one vane of the driving head effects the compression of the charge in der and receives the force of their explosions,it may be termed the power vane, and the charge and scavenges each compartment, is termed the have invented certain' going Figs. 8, 10 and both compartments of thevcylinsuction and scavenging vane. As a charge 1s compressed into and exploded 11i each compartment the engine receives two rotative impulses in each revolution.

The engine and its manner of operating is fully described in the following specification, reference being made to the drawings by which it is accompanied, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the t engine on the line b-b in Fig. 2. 2

is a cross section on the line a-- in Fig. l, that is, through the gas intake compartment ofthe driving head. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 717-70 in Fig. 1, :that is, through the exhaust compartment o f the driving head. Fig. 4 is a section on the line c-c in Fig. 2 or 3. Fig. 5 is an end view of the intake end of the engine, a portion. of the end cover being removed to show the partition valve driving gears. Fig. 6 is a cross section on the line d-d in Fig. 1 showing the ports of the extension of the partition valves, and in elevation the exhaust delivery from the engine. Fig. 7 is a section on the lvline e-e y11i-Fig. 6, being through one of the partition valves in a plane parallel to the port delivering to one of the annular working compartments of the engine. Figs. 8, 10 and 12 are cross sections through the engine cylinder and partition valves showing the cycle of operation of the engine, and Figs. 9, 11 and 13 are cross sections through the partition valve extensions respectively corresponding to the fore- In these drawings 2 represents a driving shaft on Iwhich is secured a hollow cylindrical driving head 3, the hollow of which is divided into two parts 5 and 6 by a partition 4, which also provides the means for attachment of the drivin head 3 on the shaft by a feather or key. n the periphery of this driving head 3 parallel to the axis of rotation.

The driving head 3 vwith its vanes is rotatably mounted within a cylinder 7, the ends of which, (see Fig. 4) are bored to receive the ends of the driving head, while the vanes 8 and 9 closely fit andv sweep the con vanes 8 and 9 are secured centric space 10, 11 between the driving head A This concenthe entire length of each Valve chamber or seat and connects that portion of it that extends along the cylinder 7 with that portion 19 which projects beyond the end of the same; and a port 20 connects the projecting portion 19 ofthe valve seat, (see Fig. 7) with concentric compartments 10 .and 11 respectively, delivering into them toward the direction of rotation of the en- 1ne. g The partition valves 12 and 13 which are rotatable within these seats have a general diameter which is substantially half that of the driving head 3 and is greater than the radial dimension of the concentric chamber 10, 11 between the driving head 3 and the bore of the cylinder 7. That portion of each valve, which is within the sweep of the vanes 8 and 9 is chambered or hollowed out, as at 14, and 15, to permit passage of the vanes as the driving head rotates and the faces of the vanes where they engage the inside of this chambered recess are shaped to contact as far as practicable therewith during rotation, except in the vane 8 adjacent the admission and exhaust ports.

That portion of each partition valve, which is extended beyond the length of the cylinder 7, is hollow as at 16, and has a port 17, the middle line of which is in approximate alinement with the leading horn of the crescent of that portion of the valve which lies' within the sweep of the vanes.

During rotation of either valve the port 17 of its hollow extension registers with the l port 18 of its seat and so connects the cavity 14 or 15 of the Valve with the hollow 16 of its extension, and on further rotation the same port 17 connects the hollow 16 of the valve with the port 20 delivering into the concentric chamber 10 or 11, as the case may be.

V`,The Valves 12 and 13 are rotated coperatively with the driving head 3 and at twice the speed, by a gear ywheel 30 which is integral with orsecured'to the outer end of the driving head, and the teeth of this gear wheel mesh with those of a smaller Wheel secured on the stepped or shouldered end of each valve 12 and 13. The valves rotating at twice the speed of the head will present their hollowed out portions 14 or 15 to each vane as it approaches, and will turn with it to pass the vane to the other side of the partition valve.

The gear wheels are inclosed bya cover 22 which closes also the open end of the admission compartment 5 of the hollow dri-ving head, and the ends of the valves -1'2 and 13.- This cover 22 has a hub 23 which `projects into the chamber 5 and forms a bearing lto support the driving shaft 2. The

vdriving shaft is supported on the other end of the cylinder by a bearing which forms a hub on the cover plate 24.`

The explosive mixture of gas and air is delivered from the carbureter into the compartment 5 of the hollow driving head 3 through an aperture 25 in the end cover 22, and passes therefrom into the compartment 10 or 11 through a port 26 in the driving head, which port is adjacent the following side of the vane 8, which may be called the suction and scavengingvane.

The inner edge of the port 26 projects slightly into the chamber 5, and admission through this port is controlled by the movement of it past enlargements 29 projecting from the bearing hub 23, which enlargements are diametrically opposite one another. The reason for this control will be explained later. On the opposite or leading side of this same vane,8 a port 27 connects either chamber. 10 or 11 with the compartment..6 of the hollowldriving head, which compartment of ,the driving'head is in connection with the exhaust of, the enginethrough apertures 28I in the cover`24 of the cylinder, that is, onvtlh'e'. opposite end of the cylinder to ythat to which the carbureter is connected at 25. l y

During rotation',l in thel direction lof the arrow, 'of the driving head 3 ywith its'fvanes 8 and 9 within the cylinderl7 which is stationary, the movement of the 4suction vane 8, (see Fig. 8) from the partition valve 12, induces a flow of gas and air from the carbureter'through the hollow end 5 of the driving head, and through the port 26 into the compartment 10 of the cylinder, and when the vane 8 has passed the valve 13, which valve is vturning with the driving head to present its hollow 15 to the passing vane, the compressing and power vane 9 has simultaneously passed the other valve 12, and the intaken charge of gas and air is compressed, by movement of the vane 9 toward the valve 13, which by this time is closed, (see Fig. 10). As the vane 9 approaches the valve 13 (see Fig. 10) the charge compressed within the compartment 10 passes through the ports 18 and 17 into the hollow end 16 of that valve prolongation, (see Fig. 11). When the vane 9 has passed the valve 13, (see Fig. 12) that valve` has turned, (see Fig. 13) to connect the port 17 of its hollow prolongation 16, with the port 20 delivering into the compartment 11 on the`other side of the valve 13. When this communication 17, 2O is open to the compartment 10 or 11, the

compressed charge is ignited by the ignition plug 23 of this valve and the force of the explosion acts'against the following sides-of the vane 9 to rotate the driving head and its shaft, as indicated.

When, under the force. of the explosion the vane 9 has been moved to the position indicated in F ig. 8, movement of the suction vane 8 past the valve 13, uncovers the exhaust port 27 and the products of the explosion are free to pass through that port, and through the compartment 6 of the driving head to the exhaust through the outlets 28. Further movement of the suction and scavenging vane Sthrough the compartment 11 sweeps the residuum of the explosion through the port 27vas the vane moves toward the closed valve 12,-(see Fig. 10).

It willv be observed that there are two operations of suction,I two 'of compression, two explosionsand two'operations of scavenging, during each revolution of the engine, one within each compartment 10 and 11.

The suction of the" new charge into the compartment 11 andthe scavenging of the products of the last explosion from that compartment occur as the vane 8 moves from the valve 13 to the valve- 12 and the same while the same vane passes through the compartment 10 from the valve 12 to the valve 13. e

The compression of the charge indrawn tothe compartment 10 occurs las the vane 9 passes from the'valve 12 to the valve 13 and the charge compressed in the compartment 10lis delivered from that compartment to the compartment'll as the vane 9 passes the valve 13; while the charge compressed in the compartment 11 is delivered from that compartment to the compartment 10 as the vane 9 passes the valve 12, the explosion of each charge occurring immediately after the vane 9 has passed the valves 12 and 13 respectively, at which time the port 17 has established communication through the passage 20 with the following side of'the vane 9 in the next compartment in advance.

The provision of the enlargements 29 on the bearing hub 23 are designed to close the port 26y to prevent any leakage of compressed gas past either valve 12 or 13 causing a back blow through the carbureter.

' The vanes 8 and 9 will be packed to closely fit their bearings in the bore of the cylinder 7 and at the end of the annular space, and the valves 12 and 13 will tightly fit their bearings in the cylinder 7 and against their rolling contact on the driving head. They may have a conical taper to insure such fit. The valves 12 and 13 being of larger diameter than the radial dimension of the uniform chamber which they separate into compartments will have a satisfactory bearing on their seats in the `cylinder 7 to withstand the force of the explosion, the

' plosion pressure of which will tend to close them tightly on both contacts.

The charge being ignited in the hollow end 16 of each valve the valves are shouldered at the opposite end in the end of the cylinder 7 to withstand that endwise pressure of the explosion and it will be noted that the friction of the valves on their seats between the driving head and thev cylinder, due to the pressure of the explosion against them, will relieve to a great extent the endwise pressure on the shoulder of the valve itself.

While every care will be taken to see that the faces of the vanes 8. and 9 closely fit at their contact in the hollows 14: and 15 of the valves, attention is drawn to the fact that while difficulty may be experienced in making these parts practically gas-tight, leakage past them during compression and exwill not constitute a loss seriously detrimental to the efficiency of the engine; for while the vane 9 is passing either valve 12 or 1 3 the compartment in advance of it on the other side of the valve is indrawing a fresh charge and any leakage of compressedgas will not thereforebe lost but will be utilized for the next explosion. Nor will there be much tendency to leakage from thecompression side of the'vane 9 to the opposite or power side, as the residuum of the compressed gas, after the greater part of it has been delivered into the hollow end 16 of the valve, will not be much in excess of the residuum of the products of combustion after the exhaust port has opened, which will be the case as the vane 9 is passing the valve.

Having now particularly described my invention, I hereby declare that what I claim as new and desire to be protected in by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a rotary engine, the combination with a hollow cylindrical driving head iny which the driving shaft of the engine is secured, said driving head having a power vane and a suction vane projecting from diametrically opposite sides of its circumferential surface, a cylinder within which said driving head and its vanes is rotatable, said cylinder having ends which close the ends of the space between the circumference of the driving head and that of the cylinder swept by its vanes, partition valves rotatably mounted in the cylinder in contact with the the produced end of each valve for` subsequent delivery into the compartment of the cylinder in advance of each valve.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination with a hollow cylindrical driving head in which the driving shaft of the engine is secured, said drivinghead having a power vane and a suction vane projecting from diametrically opposite sides of its'circumferential surface, a cylinder within which said driving head and its vanes is rotatable, said cylinder having ends which close the ends of the space between the circumference of the driving head and that of the cylinder swept by its vanes, partition valves rotatably mounted in the cylinder in contact with the driving head at diametrically opposite sides dividing the annular space swept by the vanes into two compartments the diameter of said valves being substantially half that 0f the driving head and each valve hollowed on one side t0 permit passage of the vanes as they rotate and having a ported chamber in a produced end of the valve produced beyond the end of the cylinder which port 'is connected by a passage in the valve seat to one compartment of the cylinder and by a port in the produced seat to the other compartment.

3. In a rotary engine, the combination with a hollow cylindrical driving head in which the driving shaft of the engine is secured, said driving head having a cross partition `dividing it lengthwise into two compartments, said driving head having also a power vaneand a suction vane and a port from one-compartment of the driving head alongside the following side of the suction vane and a port from the leading side of the same vane delivering into the other compartment of the driving head, a cylinder within which said driving head with its vanes is rotatable, said cyllnder having ends which close the ends of the space between the circumference of the driving head and that of the cylinder swept by its vanes, partition valves rotatably mounted in the cylinder in contact with the driving head .at diametrically opposite sides and dividing the annular space swept by the vanes into two compartments, said valves adapted to permit passage of the vanes as they rotate, means for delivering a gaseous fuel into the compartment of the driving head which is connected to the following side of the suction vane, means for passing the compressed gas from one compartment of the annular space of the cylinder `to the other coincidentl with the movementl of a vane past the valve, means for igniting the compressed gas so delivered,

and means for exhausting the products of combustion through the other compartment of the hollow driving head.

4. In a rotary elngine the combination with a cylindrical driving head having drivcylinder ing vanes projecting from its outer cylindrical surface in which driving head the driving shaft of the engine is secured, a cylinder within which the driving. head is concentrically mounted, said cylinder having ends which close the ends of the space between the circumference of the driving head and that of thecylinder swept by its vanes,- partition valves rotatably mounted at diametrica-lly opposite sides to divide the annular space between the outer circumference of the driving head and the bore of the cylinder swept by its vanes, gearing external to the cylinder and coperative with the driving head for driving the partitionvalves at the required speed, a gear case for said gearing, means for delivering an explosive mixture of gas and air through the gear case of the partition valves to the compartments of the cylinder, means for igniting the charge in these compartments, and means for exhausting the products of combustion, therefrom.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination with a cylindrical driving head having driving vanes projecting from its outer cylindrical surface in which driving head the driv-v ing shaft of the engine is secured, a cylinder within which the driving head is concentri-Iv cally mounted, said cylinder having Lends which close the ends of the space between the circumference of the driving head and that of the cylinderiswept by its vanes, said having also valve seats recessed from its inner circumferential surface at diametrically opposite sides, partition valves rotatably mounted in these'seats and in roll-A ing contact with the circumferential surface of the drivinghead, said valves being shouldered at one end to a less diameter to pass through one end of the cylinder and having gear teeth on lthe outwardly projecting end, which teeth mesh with others on the outer end of the driving head the pitch diameters of these teeth being respectively ,propor-.ll'o' tioned to drive the valves at twice the rotation of the head, a cover inclosing the gears of the driving head and valves, means for delivering an explosive mixture to within this casing, means for admitting it to the 11'5 compartments of the cylinder swept by the vanes of the driving head, means for ignit ing the charge, and means for delivering the l products of combustion from the compartf` ments.

. 6. In a rotary engine, the combination with a hollow cylindrical driving head in which the driving shaft of the'engine is secured, said driving head having a cross par# tition ,dividino itlengthwise into two com-125 partments-and=` having also a power vane and a suction vane, and a port from one com,- partment of the driving head adjacent `the following side of the suction vane, and'v af port from the leading side of the same vane delivering into the other compartment of the driving head, a cylinder within which said driving head with its vanes is rotatable, said cylinder having ends which close the ends of the space between the circumference of the driving head and that of the cylinder swept by its vanes, partition valves rotatably mounted in the cylinder at diametrically opposite sides and dividing the annular space` swept by the vanes into two compartments, means for delivering a gaseous fuel into the compartment of the hollow driving head which is connected to the following side of the suction vane, means connected to the cylinder which is stationary for controlling passage of the gaseous fuel through the port delivering into the compartments of the concentric space, means for igniting the charge to act on one of the vanes in the concentric space, and means for exhausting the products of combustion through the other compartment of the hollow driving head.

In testimony whereof I aiiX my signature in 'presence of two witnesses.

IVAN A. MGCARTHY. Witnesses:

RowLAND BRITTAIN, MAY WHYTE. 

